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Mar 20, 2009

Can Chanel Bags be Repaired?

Update Jan 8, 2010

A while ago a reader asked SG if Chanel bags could be fixed. While I was on vacation, I checked with a local boutique in Asia and the answers below were provided to me. I was in Chanel today, so I asked my SA in South Coast Plaza and was told a client should bring a bag in as each case will differ. However she did say "almost" anything can be fixed, although the result won't be like the original. I used a torn lining example, the cost would be least $200-300. She advised me to ignore the torn lining since it would not be visible to anyone else but me. So girls, if you have a Chanel bag that need a little TLC, take it into a boutique to receive a quote. You can then determine if it is worth the cost to you. I hope this helps those with questions.

-SG

Recently a reader asked about relining a vintage Chanel bag so I dropped by a boutique to get some information about repair process and cost. I have encountered similar problems but have not done anything about my own damaged Chanel bags so there goes:

Can leather be fixed once it is damaged? According to the SA, once leather is torn or damaged, the leather is pretty much damaged. A friend had her light color Chanel bag dyed to black after her son drew on it with a pen. However, not every bag can be redyed to a different color. I had a good cobbler fix a leather strap of a Chanel backpack and I couldn't even tell one of the straps was damaged before. Sometimes however, once a bag is damaged on the inside or outside it is very difficult to make it whole again.

Can a Chanel bag be relined? No, the bag can not be relined to look like original condition, at least Chanel does not provide this service. According to the SA, perhaps a local Chanel boutique can recommend a good cobbler or leather smith to fix torn or damage lining.

What can Chanel repair? Chanel boutiques will repair/replace hardware such as chains, double CC metal logos and buckles as long as these parts are still in production. However, it may take several months, up to 6 months, to have the bag back as it is sent back to France for repair. It is best to take the bag to a local boutique for a quote as parts will differ in cost and availability.

Chanel offers both refurbishment (redying/reglazing) and relining. Relining is usually free for glue migration (sticky linings). They do not ever redye the entire bag black if it was a different color, they remove the stains and refinish it. I don't know what SA gave you this information, but I have seen the Chanel price charts for repairs and it includes both relining and redying (the same color).

I have had the bag for a few months now and never noticed it and the chain moves around all the time then one day I seen it sticking out through the chain and thought someone had cut it as it wasnt like that before. It looks like it has been cut to me as each end lines up perfectly, even the stitch lines up. How do they usually do the strap? Do they stitch it together on the ends or something? it doesnt look like to stitch has undone it also looks cut straight.

Okay I think I get it. The leather should not move around at all. I am traveling now so don't have my bags with me but remind me and I will check for you next week and post a picture to show. If my recollection is correct, the leather end should loop around the end of the chain and go through 2 or 3 chain links. You have a bag with classic gold chain??

Regarding redying comments "They do not ever redye the entire bag black if it was a different color, they remove the stains and refinish it."

I took my dark red bag that had a horrible stain on the leather in to the Beverly Hills store and they told me the best thing to do is to have them send it to New York to be redyed black. Only $120 as wel.

i went to the chanel at scp and the lady was rude she told me to go to where i bought it at fashion island and get it fixed. so unhelpful. ughhh people like that who work there r annoying. n my bag has only been used for a couple of months n already damage.. just sucks

Oh that was so unfortunate. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at SCP Chanel. Did you buy your bag at a consignment store? Anyhoo, it does not matter, they should be able to make some sort of recommendation at the boutique. I know they won't fix it for free but for a fee.

I have lost the CC logo on my large Chanel bag. The tiny screws came loose and the logo is lost. I still have the center piece that has the Chanel and Paris logo. Can anyone recommend a location to replace the CC logo and refurbish my bag. It is about 20 years old.